Rug-cleaning machine



May 21, 1929. p, 1 A E I 1,714,273v

RUG CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l rwe 'n'roz Pill?j Hlli i May 21, 1929. P. 1.. MABREY 1,714373 RUG CLEANING MACHINE FiledMay ,8; 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 n 6a zjwuento'a .Pki'l .zmbrey May 21,1929. P. 1.. MABREY RUG CLEANING MACHINE Filed Mpy 8, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 3 iiii an P. L. MABRE Y RUG CLEANING MACHINE May 21, 1929.

' Filed May 8, 1925 4 Sheets-Shet -4 v Ju WM Th fl .5. Marcy PatentedMay 21,1929;

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

. V y I PHIL L. MABREY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO; MARY B. MABREY ADMINISTRATRIXOF SAID PHIL L. MABREY, DECEASED.

Iwe-cmamne MACHINE.

Application filed may a, 1925. Serial No. 28,946.

This invention relates particularly to-an cleaning machine comprisingthe present inimproved rug cleaningmachine involving a vention, novelarrangement of cleaning appliances Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,which operate to scour or scrub the rug to Figure 3 is a verticallongitudinal sectional remove therefrom quickly and positively all Viewon the line 33 of Figure 1, '55

soil traces and to permit the operation to be Figure 4 is a fragmentaryview of the brush properly andjefi'ectively accomplished in an adjustingmechanism, economical time and labor saving manner.Figure5isahorizontalsectional view taken The'invention consists,amongother features, on the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

in the provision of a rug cleaning machine Figure 6 is a. verticalsectional view taken 60 involving a travelling rug carrier which o'p- 0nthe line 66 of Figure 4, crates to present a rug or carpet carried Flgure 7 is an endelevation of the rug thereon .to the successive actionof rotary cleaning machine, V scrubbing or scouring brushes, to ascraper F1gure8 isatransverse sectional view taken member which removesthe soiled soap soluon the line 88 of Figure 3, 5 tion from the rugfollowing the action of the Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary viewscrubbing rolls or brushes, to the action of a showing the suctionapparatus, rinsing bath and in finally subjecting the rug Figure 10 isan end view thereof, partly in to the action of a suction device whichresection,

movesthe larger percentage of-the moisture Figure 11 is a fragmentaryvertical sec- 70 or cleaning'liquids from the rug and leaves tlonal viewof the soap container,

the latter in athoroughly renovated condi-. Figure 12 is a transversevertical sectional tion adapted to be finally dr1e d. VleYY h r I Theinvention fiIIlZhQICOIlSlStS 1n the pro- Figure 131s a fragmentary planview of vision of a carrier for the rugwhich is in the the rear end ofthe table showing the rug 75 form .of a flat reciprocatory tableupon'which clamping means, the rug is placed andtautly stretched so thatFigure 14 is a sectional view taken on the the table may be advanced tosubject the rug line 14-14 of Figure 13, to the action of the severalsuccessively oper- Figure 15 is a fragmentary plan view of atingcleaning appliances, provision being the front end of the table showingthe rug 3 made for advancing the table and the rug clamping means, and

into engagement with the cleaning appliances Figure 16 is a sideelevation thereof. at a relatively slow speed and the return or in-Referring more particularly to the drawactive movement of-the table toanormal posiings the numeral 1 designates my improved tion at arelatively accelerated speed; 'n the rug cleaning machine in itsentirety. Broadprovision of means associated with the table duly, themachine consists of a bed frame 2, a for quickly andsccurelyfasteningarug upon reciprocatory rug carrier or table 3, and athe surface of the table so that the entire surplurality of cleaningappliances which are face of the rug will be presentedto the actionmounted in connection with the bed frame 40 of the cleaning appliances;adjustably assoand operate successively upon the upper surciating therug clamping device with the face of the rug as the latter-is moved intotable so as to accommodate rugs orcarpets engagement with the cleaningappliances by of varying proportions; and inthe provision thereciprocatory motion of the table. of other features and advantageshereinafter The bed frame consists of a plurality of 45 described andset forth in detail. vertically disposed legs 4, united by trans- For afurther understanding of the inven- Versely extending tie rods 5 so astoproduce tion, reference is to be had to the following a rigidsubstantial stretcher, the lower ends descriptionb andto theaccompanying drawof the legs 4 resting upon the floor surface ings, inwhich 6 and are fastened thereto in any desired 50 Figure 1 is a topplan view of the rug manner. Secured to the upper ends of the legs 4 arelongitudinally-extending transversely spaced tracks 7, and disposed forengagement with these tracks are wheels 8 which are carried by the undersurface of the table 3, the said wheels serving as antifriction devicesto permit of'the free frictionless travel of'the table over the ways ortracks 7 of the bed frame. The table itselfis formed to include a woodenrug receiving surface 9, which rests upon longitudinally extendingmetallic channel bars 10 and the bars 10, in turn, carry the dependingwheels 8. This structure imparts to the table or carriage a considerabledegree of mechanical strength so that the surface 9 will be maintainedat all times in a true horizontal plane, devoid of undulations or thelike which would seriously interfere with the proper operation of themachine.

In practice, a rug is placed horizontally upon the upper surface 9 ofthe table or carrier with the surfaceof the rug to be cleaned facedupwardly. The 'rug is retainedi-n this positionby the provision of aplurality of hooks 11,. which are arranged along the forward edge 12 ofthe table. These hooks have their shank ends embedded in a transverselyextending pivoted bar 13, and are adapted, when the bar is swungrearwardly, to embed themselves within the Weft or body of the rug sothat by being thus connected with the rug the said hooks will notinterfere or obstruct inany manner the operation of the subsequentlyoperating cleaning appliances,

' hereinafter specifically described. Hooks or the like 14 are pivotedon the sides of the table and are adapted to retain the bar '13 and thehooks 11 in secured engagement With the rug, preventing. undue upwardmovement; on the part of thebar 13. The bar 13 also serves to limit themovement of and effect the positioning of the forward edge of the rug onthe table. It will be observed that the bar does 'notin any way coverthe forward edge of the rug. The rear edge-of the rug is secured to thetable by the provision of a plurality of hooks 15, which are carried inconnection with a shaft 16 extending transversely of the table betweenthe surface 9 and the barslO. The shaft 16 is adjustable longitudinallyof the table, and'for this reason the table is provided, adjacent to itsrear end, with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 17, throughwhich the upper ends ofthe hooks 15 project. The elongated slots 17 areprovided in order to adapt the fastening structure to rugs of differentlengths or proportions. It willbe seen that by rotating the shaft 16,the hooks are capable of being embedded in the rear edge. of the rug tosub-.

stantially and firmly grip the latter at a plurality of-"points and, ina manner similar to the hooks 11, to\soengage the rug as to prevent thehooks from interfering with the operation of the cleaning appliances.The

shaft 16 has associated with the ends thereof a pair of chains or thelike 18, so that when the hooks 15 are engaged with the rug, the chains18 may be adpisted to draw the shaft 16 longitudinally and in thismanner place and retain the rug under tension, so that the latter willbe tautly stretched and held in a true horizontal plane upon the surface9 of the table. By the provision of thisconstruction it will be seenthat a rug is capable of being quickly and securely connected with thetable in'a position'to permit the cleaning appliances to operate to thebest advantage. The longitudinal side edges and the rear edge of thetable may be provided with baskets or the like 19 by means of which whenlarger sized ru s or car acts are bein handled are the baskets 19and-then asthe process of cleaning the rug continues, that portion whichhas not been cleaned is withdrawn from the baskets and presented to theaction of the. cleaning appliances and the formerly cleaned portions ofthe rug are rolled and placed in the other basket until the entiresurface of the rug has been cleaned.

To effect the reciprocation of the table the latter in this instance isprovided with alongitudinally extending rack bar 20, which is disposedbeneath the table proper and is secured thereto by means of brackets orother fastening appliances 21. Engaged with the teeth of the rack bar 20is a spur pinion 22, which is carried by a shaft 23 journaled inconnection with the bed frame 2. Power isly spaced a greater distancethan the width of the table 3. Mounted upon the frames 24 and extendingtransversely across the. table is a soap solution container 25, which ispro-. portioned to receive andcontain adesired quantity of a soapsolution employed in the cleaning of rugs. The bottom of the con: tainer25'is provided with. converging side, walls which terminate in a valvecasing 26. Within this casing there is located a longitudinallyextending rotatable valve member 27; ,provided with a slot 28 whichextends subst ntially'the full length of the container 25. The outer endof the valve member will'be provided with an actuating portion 29, sothat the flow of solution from the container may be readily controlledand'manually adjusted. The slotted outlet 30 in the bottom of thecontainer, below the valve member 27 ,has its 30 so that the latter maybe lengthened or shortened in accordance with the .width of the rugpassing beneath the container. It willfbe manifest that as the valvemember is opened, the soa solution may flow from the container anddeposit itself upon the upper surface of the rug carried by the table;when passing beneath the cleaning appliances.

The side frames 24 are provided with vertically adjustable journal boxes32, in which are mounted brush shafts 33. These shafts carry between theextremities thereof oppositely rotating brushes 34 which are-disposed toengage with the uppersurface of the rugas the table moves forwardlythrough the machine. The brushes .34 revolve as indicated by the arrowsin Figure 3, and this is secured by providing the shafts 33 with meshinggears 35. Also journaled in connection with the side frames 24 is atransversely extending shaft 36, which carries at its" ends spur pinions37 meshing with certain of the gears 35 so as to cause the latter torotate and to effect the positive rotation of the brushes 34. 1 Theshaft 36 may be equipped at one end with a relatively enlarged beltwheel 38 by-means of which power is applied to the machine from anysuitable prime mover (not shown). One

mounted upon the shaft 23, and have their hubs provided with-opposedclutch faces ,44,

with which are adapted to be engaged clutch sleeves and. 46, that arefeathered or other- I wise secured to the shaft 33. These sleeves are,manually operated, and it will be seen that when the sleeve 45 is inengagement with the clutch face 44 of the wheel 42, the table 3 will beadvancedforwardly at a relatively slowspeed to bring the rug thereoninto engagement with the cleaning appliances arid, conversely, when theclutch sleeve 46 is in clutching engagement with the wheel 43, andthe'clutch sleeve 45 thrown out, the table will be moved in the oppositedirection at an accelerated 'rate of speed so as to return the table toits normal position. These varying rates of speeds are obtained by thedifierent relative proportions existing between the wheels .39 and'40,42 and 43.

Upon the forward or cleaning travel of the rug the soap solution isdischarged or deposited upon the upper surfaceof the rug and thelatteris then immediately subjected to the rotary brushing action of thestiff bristled brooms or brushes 34, which engage with the rug, and byrotating in the directions indicated, liftthe-nap of the rug,

and effectively securing all'portions of the.

lat-her 'toremove dirt and soil traces and restore the rug to itsoriginal color and luster. T he shafts 33 upon which the. brushes aremounted are journaled in the boxes 32, which are individually adjustable'in slots 47 provided in connection with cross heads 48 which are, inturn, vertically adjustable in' fixed guides 49 carried by the sideframes 24. The individual adjustmentafforded by the boxes 32 permits therelation between the brooms or brushes and the rug to bereadilycontrolled so as .to .adapt the brushes to rugs of different thicknessand to compensate for the effec'tsof wear. However, by the provision ofthe cross heads 48 a mechanism is provided for lifting the brushes to aposition removed from engagement with the table 3. Advantage is taken ofthis feature when the table is returned to its normal or startingposition. Since in operation the brushes become soap laden, it isdesirable when the table is returned to its normal position, and thecleaned rug removed therefrom that the brushes be kept out of engagementwith the -table to prevent-the latter from becoming surfaced with thesoap solution carried on the brushes; The lifting of the crossheads andthe brushes carried thereby may be quickly accomplished by the provisionof cams 50, which are mounted upon a rotatable cross shaft 51 which uponmanual adjustment causes the camsto'assume'elevated or loweredpositions, thereby governing the relation betw en the brushes and thetable. The outer on "of the shaft 51 may be provided with an operatinglever 5 2,'carrying a hand controlled latch 53, engaging with atoothedsegment 54 which serves to hold .thel'cross heads in fixed positions ofadjustment.

Upon the advance of the table with the rug thereon' 'tl1e latter, afterrelease from engagement with the rotarybrushes, contacts with atransversely extending scraper bar 55. This bar is carried by a crossshaft 56, journaled in connection with the side frames 24', and thelower edge of the'bar 55 fric-I tionally engages with .the upper surface0 the rug to remove therefrom thesoiled soap solution which is left uponthe'upper surface of the rug following the operation of the re."

volving brushes. 'The position of the bar 55 confines the soiledsoapsolution to the region of the brushes ,34, and the surplus lather orsoap suds is permitted to drop into an outlet vat or container 57located on the floor beneath the brushes 34. The vat 57 may haveconnection with any suitable 'outlet drain (notshown) Carried by thesideframes 2% in advance of the scraper bar isa pipe 58, the latterincluding'a control valve 59 and is connected with a source of clearwater supply. 'The pipe-58 extends across the full width of the table 31and terminates in a vertically disposed section 60, which. in turn isincommunication with a perforated spray pipe 61 extending'across thetable 3 parallel to and below the pipe 58. The spray pipe 61 is providedat intervals with a control valve, 62, by means of which the width ofthe spraying action maybe regulated, adapting the spraying actionto'rugs of varyingwidth. By this construction a bath or rinse isprovided for the rug following the operation of the revolving brushesand serving to more thoroughly cleanse the rugs.

In advance of the pipe 61 there is provided a rockshaft 63, journaled inconnection with the side frames 24. This rock shaft has fastened thereona plurality of suction hoods 6%, which by means of conduits 65 areconnected with any suitable type of power driven vacuum or suctioncreating apparatus (not shown) so as to produce the requisite suction atthe entra'nce slots 66 of the hoods. This suction serves to effectivelyremove all accumulated moisture and water from the rugs, leaving thelatter free from soil traces and in a perfectly clean and renovatedcondition. The lower edges of the hoods64 may be rounded .as at 67 so asto facilitate the sliding-of the rugs across the hoods. the hoodsmayhave their effective length controlled by means of a sliding closure.plate 68, which adapts the hoods to the exact width of the rug beingcleaned and serves to insure at all times an effective suction on therugs. The rock shaft has associated therewith a handle 69 carrying alatch 70 which engages with the rack segment 71, by means of which thehoods 64 may be raised and'lowered and maintained in these positions.The provision of the added clear, rinse afforded by the pipe -61 and theapplied suction, as provided by the hoods 64 and associatedapparatusconstitute one of the very important features of the present invention,in that by the provision of these cleaning appliances soiltraces arecompletely removed from the rug and the latter restored to a conditioncloselycomparable with the appearance of the rug when new. 4

In front of the hoods 64 the machine may be provided with arotating napraising brush 72, carried by a shaft 73. This shaft is rotated by a belt74, which transmits power from the shaft 36 to the shaft 73. The brush72 rotates as indicated by the arrow, lifting If desired the slots 66 inthe nap of the rug so as to permit the latter to dry more quickly and topresent a better appearance after final drying.

The entire length of the rug is passed through the cleaning appliance inthe order described, when the table reaches its outer extreme ofmovement its reciprocation is arrested, and the-cleaned rug freed fromongagement with the fasteningdeviccs which secure it tothe table. Therug may then be ,removed from the table and placed in an orreciprocatesin a horizontal plane. This isin contrast to other prior machinesinvolving carriers in the form of enclosed drums and belts whichpreventthe rug from being viewed at all times during the cleaningoperation. Further, a novel form of clamping means is provided forenabling the entire surface of the mg to be cleaned and subjected to theaction of the cleaning appliances. Prior structures for this purposehave usually included frictional devices engageable with the edge of arug by holding the latter on the carrier. Such frictional devicesofnecessity prevent the cleaning appliances fromengagin the rugcompletely, and as a result it is necessary. in such former devices toclean the edges of the rugs manually following the removal from themachine. In the present invention the cleaning appliances clean theedges of the rugsas well as the main body thereof.- -Another outstandingfeature of the present inventionresides in the use of the suction appli-.ances for effecting the final cleaning of the rug. Prior machinesinclude rotary scrubbing brushes but it has been found that thesebrushes are not sufficient of themselves to completely remove all soiltraces and streaks from the rugs. In the present invention the use ofthe vacuum results in the complete and thorough removal of all of suchsoil traces and produces a cleansing action ma:

terially superior to the use of the mere ac-' tion of the rotatablebrushes. It will be observed that by the use of the machine hand Voperations are reduced to a minimum, the only manual operations beingthe placing carried in connection with said frame "and engageable withsaid rug, scraper means for removing the soap solution from the rugfollowing the operation of the brush means; means for applying a rinsingbath to said rug subsequent to the operation of the scraper ing solutionand the upper surface of said.

rug to scrub the latter, scraping means for removing the solution fromthe rug following the operation of the brush mechanism, and a suctiondevice engageable with said rug for removlng moisture from the lattersubsequent to the operation of said brush mechanism and scraping means,

3. In a rug cleaning machine, a reciprocatory rug holding table mountedfor movement in a horizontal plane, clamping means for removablymaintaining a rug in a sub-- stantially stretched and taut conditionupon the upper surface of said table, consisting of a plurality of hooksarranged in one end of said table for engagement with a rug, a secondset of hooks carried by said table and arranged for connection with anopposed edge of said rug, means permitting of the adjustment of thesecond set of hooks longitudinally of said table to stretch a rugengaged thereby, and means for maintaining said second set of hooks intheir adjusted positions.

, 4. In a rug cleaning machine, a reciprocatory rugv holdingc tablemounted for movement in a horizontal plane, clamping means at one end ofsaid table for securing one edge of arug flat upon the upper surface ofsaid table, said table having at its opposite end a plurality oflongitudinally extending slots provided therein, a rock' shaft, and aplurality of hooks carried by said rock shaft and operable within saidslots, said hooks upon rotation of said shaft being adapted to beembedded in the edge of a rug to maintain the latter in secured relationwith said table.

5. In a ru cleaning machine, a reciprocative rug holding table mountedfor movement in a horizontal plane, clamping means provided adjacent toone edge of said table for securing one edge of a rug in a fiathorizontal position upon the upper surface of said table, said tablehaving a plurality of longitudinally extending slots provided therein, arock shaft adjustable longitudinally of said table beneath said slots,fixed hooks carried by said shaftand arranged for adjustment within saidslots, whereby upon the rotation of saidshaft the extremities of saidhooks may be embedded in the'edge of said rug opposite to said firstnamed clamping means, and means permitting of the adjustment andmaintenance of said rock shaft relatively to said table to stretch andhold in a stretched condition a rug on the upper surface of said table.

6. In a rug cleaning machine, a rug holdtable including a solutioncontaining trough,

said trough having a longitudinally extending outlet slot provided inthe bottom thereof, a longitudinally extending valve arranged forrotation about a horizontal axis provided in connection with said troughfor. regulating the outflow of the solution through said slot, brushmechanism engageable with a rug on said table, means operatingsubsequent to said brush mechanism for scraping the solution from saidrug, and means for imparting reciprocating motion to said table.

7. In a rug cleaning machine, a frame, a rug carrier mounted forreciprocation relatively to said frame, said carrier including a Hathorizontally disposed rug receiving surface, a pair of revolving brushescarried in connection with said frame, means for adj usting said brushesvertically and independently with respect to each other, and means forraising and lowering said brushes simultaneously with relation to saidicillllel independently of said first named adjusting means. v

8. Ina rug cleaning machine, a frame, a rug carrier movable in saidframe, a pair of brushes adapted for cooperation with the rug on saidcarrier, journal boxes carried in connection with said frame for thesupport of said brushes, meansprovided in connection 'with said boxespermitting of the individual and selective adjustment of-said brushes inQ porting frame stationary with respect to said carrier, a soap solutiontrough arranged over said carrier and provlded with an outlet slot inthe bottom thereof, means for regulating the efi'ectivedength of saidslot, a brush mechanlsm carried in connect1on withsald frame andoperable to scrub the surfacevof a rug during the advance of the latter'with said carrier, scraping means for removing-the solution from saidru'gvfollowing the .operation of said brushes, and means for applying arinsing bath to said rug subsequent to the action of said scrapingmeans.

10,.In a. rug cleaning machine, a table movable in athorizonta-l plane,a stationary frame supporting said table, means for securing a rug to becleaned to the upper surface of said-table, revoluble brushes carried bysaid frame and engageable withthe rug on said table during the advanceofthe latter along said frame, a rinse applying means earned by $316.frame and, operating on said rug subsequent to the operation of saidbrushing mechanism, a suction hood for withdrawing the rinsing solutionfrom said rug, and 10 means for varying the effective width of said hoodto adjust the latter to the Width of the particular rug under treatment.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PHIL L.'M-ABREY.

